Meet Alyssa Stewart

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Stewart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from all over. I was born in San Jose, California, but I’ve lived in Texas, Wyoming, Florida, New Jersey, Colorado, and finally made my way to San Diego about ten years ago. This is the longest I’ve ever stayed in one place, and I absolutely love it here!

Moving around so much had a huge impact on me. It made me adaptable and open to new experiences, almost forcing a Growth Mindset on me, which has helped me a lot into adulthood and in my art practice.

I grew up on welfare with a single mother who was addicted to prescription pain medication, so things at home were tough, and I often sought refuge in art. Drawing, painting, and crafting became my oasis. Being one of six children, I also cherished the solitude and freedom art provided. I loved sneaking away to my room to create– it was a brief moment of peace amidst the chaos in the home. Naturally, I was drawn to being an artist from the get-go.

When I was 14 years old, my mother suddenly died of an overdose, which was incredibly traumatic and altered my life completely. I saw the fragility of life very early on, and had to face the vast unknown of the afterlife as I navigated puberty. It was intense. I used art along the way to both process the grief but also as an escape from it. I would sometimes create some really dark works that touch on my ‘mother wound’ but most of what I make are happy scenes of domestic life, idealizing moments from a life full of sorrow to focus on the joy that was and is there. Today, a lot of my paintings are of my siblings and their families– I think I just love capturing the fact that we are all doing okay now, living happy lives, after going through so much trauma together.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create all kinds of art, but at my core, I’m a colorist. No matter what I’m painting, I love incorporating vibrant colors. I’m also keen on capturing light, and am deeply inspired by the Impressionist era. I paint quickly, often completing a piece in a few hours, so I think the speed at which I paint is pretty unique, too. This has given me the opportunity to paint live at multiple events around San Diego over the years.
Currently, I’m most excited about the album cover I’m working on for a new record by the band Day Friend from Austin, TX. I love doing album work because it pushes me to think outside the box, diving into the narrative of the album and creating something new. It’s a wonderful co-creative process, especially if the band is still writing or recording while I’m working on the art. For this album, it’s about dream psychology and Greek mythology, so I’m reading works by Homer and Carl Jung to learn more about the subjects–it’s so cool!!

Getting to where I am today has been a gradual journey. I’ve learned to hold on to hope and keep creating. Experimenting with new media in the studio keeps things fresh, too, and I continuously put myself out there by entering art shows. It hasn’t been easy, but the support of those around me and seeing people interact with my art has kept me motivated. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, connect with people, and see the beauty and art in everything around me.

What I want the world to know is that I’m just getting started. I plan to keep creating for a lifetime, and you’ll see me and my work again soon.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Ocean Beach (OB), so a lot of my suggestions revolve around “the vortex” here, but there are so many cool things to do in SD! Here’s a sample itinerary:

**Sunday:**
-Fly into SAN (people usually arrive early because they are flying West and gaining time)
– Breakfast at Margarita’s in OB for great diner food. Best hash browns in town!
– Relax at the beach.
– Sunset cruise on Mission Bay.
– Dinner at Chicken Over Rice, a new OB favorite.

**Monday:**
– Breakfast at Cliffs Cafe in OB. A great family-business with excellent food!
– Whale watching cruise.
– Lunch at Wonderland in OB.
– Afternoon pickleball at the end of the street.
– Pizza from Luigi’s on Newport.

**Tuesday:**
– Brunch at Parkhouse Eatery in University Heights. Try the verde chilaquiles and the churro pancake!
– Visit the San Diego Zoo.
– Late lunch at Hillcrest Brewing for the best wings in town.
– Dinner at Ulivo in OB for delicious Italian food.

**Wednesday:**
– Breakfast from Val’s Coffee Corner in OB. The alai bowls are killer!
– Morning beach time.
– Lunch at Mike’s Taco Shop for Cali Burritos.
– OB Farmer’s Market in the evening, with dinner from various food trucks or Raglan Public House.

**Thursday:**
– Breakfast at Breakfast Republic.
– Beach time and then lunch at Liberty Station (pack a picnic!)
– Dinner at La Dona in OB.
– Drinks and games at Killowatt in OB after dinner.

**Friday:**
– Breakfast at Margarita’s or Cliffs Cafe again (the menu is extensive! You know there is something you wanted to try the first go-round but couldn’t– now’s your chance 🙂 )
– Hike at Torrey Pines or Cabrillo Monument.
– Fancy dinner at Herb and Wood or Rare Society.
– Nightcap at a nearby brewery or bar.

**Saturday:**
– Early airport drop-off for guests.
– Enjoy a nap, a surf, and live music in the evening.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I want to shout out and thank my husband, Justin. He’s my love, muse, confidant, best friend, and biggest supporter. He’s helped me set up my art all over town countless times and always encourages me to keep going when I feel like giving up. Without him, I truly don’t know where I’d be.

I also want to extend my gratitude to the community that continuously encourages me to pursue my art. Whether it’s friends attending my art shows, fellow artists joining me for painting sessions, patrons supporting my work, or those who stop to chat while I’m plein air painting, the community is a major motivator on my journey.

Finally, I want to give a shoutout to our jam group in Kearny Mesa. We meet up regularly to improvise music together and hang out. We’re all visual artists and creatives too, so we support each other’s art journeys outside of the music, attending each others’ book signings, art shows, and other gigs. It’s a very welcoming and strong community where I feel at home. My husband and I are honored to be a part of it! A lot of the artists that attend the jams are further along in their art journey and are incredible mentors and supporters of my art as well. The collective is curated by John Lidot of Lidot Modern Gallery and Giant Canvas. If you’re an artist in town, I highly recommend checking them out for all your canvas needs! Giant Canvas has the highest quality canvasses and best prices around! 🙂

Website: https://www.alyssastew.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssastew.art/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssastewartart/ 

Image Credits
Main (personal) photo ONLY shot by: Rose Lindley